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DEL.ICIO.USCleland’s out, but that may not have been the news
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week, Max Cleland declared himself unavailable for an ‘08 rematch with Republican Saxby Chambliss, who grabbed Cleland’s U.S. Senate seat in 2002.
This was not so much news as a confirmation of the status quo. Cleland had long told friends that he was through with elected politics — except to help other Democrats, which he did to great success this year.
The real news may be on the other side of the coin. Chambliss has long been viewed as a shoo-in for a vice presidential slot in 2008. His Georgia roots could serve as a regional balance to any ticket-leader from the North or Midwest. He’s telegenic, and he’s got a commanding view of international affairs from his seat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
All that may have changed in November, one of our well-read Republican friends pointed out this morning. If Republicans are to have any chance — slim though it may be — of taking back the Senate in two years, Chambliss may obliged to keep his seat.
As red as Georgia may be, an open Senate seat is still a gamble — and would drain valuable GOP resources.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Justin
December 5, 2006 1:24 PM | Link to this
Are you sure that Chambliss couldn’t run for both in 2008? I ask because I don’t know and it was not mentioned in your above post. Lieberman ran for both in 2000. Is it a federal or state decision as to whether you must resign?
By GodHatesTrash
December 5, 2006 1:39 PM | Link to this
You can’t be serious that Chickenhawk Saxby Chambliss is seriously being considered as a candidate for VP of the US.
The man is pure as driven snow trash, and a lying spineless coward to boot.
By Nicholas
December 5, 2006 1:56 PM | Link to this
There are plenty other Regional Balances for the ticket from the south. The best example being Gov. Barbour of Mississippi.
By noted
December 5, 2006 2:07 PM | Link to this
It’s a state decision as to whether you can run for two offices at once. Most states do not allow you to run for both. Connecticut is one and LBJ made sure Texas is one that you cand run for both in.
By Tator Tot
December 5, 2006 2:09 PM | Link to this
Oh, but what about Saxby’s knee? Won’t that keep him from running for VP? It must hurt so bad.
By Producer
December 5, 2006 2:16 PM | Link to this
Maybe Carroll Campbell of South Carolina? Lindsay Graham? Jeb would certainly be an option for the VP slot.
By drjay
December 5, 2006 4:09 PM | Link to this
you do realize carroll campbell of s.c. is not available to run for this or any office anymore…
By drjay
December 5, 2006 4:18 PM | Link to this
assuming the nominee is appropraitely conservative—a westerner would be the obvious “ticket balancing” choice i agree chambliss should not give up his seat if this becomes an option for him…
By GodHatesTrash
December 5, 2006 5:22 PM | Link to this
I don’t think you’ll see any southern Repukes on the national ticket in the next few elections - the vote on November 7th was a repudiation of redneck politics, especially southron redneck politics. The southron wing of the GOP is going to be about as electable as the Massachusetts wing of the Democratic party.
Perhaps Isakson, with his non-southron name, would have a chance, but not a dyed in the wool peckerwood with a gay-sounding name like Saxby Chambliss.
By Ovolon
December 5, 2006 8:26 PM | Link to this
Should the “Esteem Southern Gentleman”,the Senior Senate from the Great State of Georgia is the “VP” on the “Grand Old Party’s” ticket in 08 I will be Very, Very happy. As a veteran who served in peace time ONLY it will give me a warm feeling inside to Give One Big Vote for that Silver War Veteran who was Slandered by this “Self Annointed” so called “Esteem Southern Gentleman”. I use the title “Esteem Southern Gentleman” as loosly as one could use, without the slander he so heaped upon “The Lithonia, Georgia, Triple Amputee, Silver Star Veteran”. So I say bring him on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jim Ragan
December 5, 2006 8:45 PM | Link to this
I think someone like Michael Steele from Maryland would be a very formidable candidate for VP on the Republican Ticket in ‘08. I would prefer Sen. Chambliss to run for his Senate seat again in ‘08. I was impressed with Mr. Steele’s performance even though he lost a close race in Maryland to Ben Cardin and especially how the GOP is severely outnumbered in Maryland.
By Producer
December 5, 2006 9:35 PM | Link to this
Why isn’t Campbell of SC available? If he isn’t I wasn’t aware of it. Is he dead?
By Producer
December 5, 2006 9:36 PM | Link to this
I just Googled him Drjay. Didn’t realize he was gone…
By Terry
December 5, 2006 10:25 PM | Link to this
Gov. Campbell passed away last year from alzeheimers.
By Ben
December 5, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this
I would pay Cleland’s qualifying fee. I loved voting against him once and would gladly do it again.
Why in the world would he want to run when he can rally such political hacks like GodHatesTrash? (Pretty classy name, by the way.)
By haha
December 5, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
Give me a break! McCain cannot stand you rednecks and neither can Rudy! Pawlenty the MN governor will be the Repuke Veep
By gamule
December 5, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this
Max Cleland is an alright person but he has no depth of intellect. He was nothing but a toy for the Democratics, and never had an original thought while in the Senate. Give the guy credit for his service but you cannot give anyone “smarts”. That happens when the old sperm hits the egg only.
By SharonH
December 6, 2006 8:27 AM | Link to this
Saxby “bad knee” Chambliss is a shoe-in for the VP nom in ‘08? I didn’t realize things were that bad for the GOP!! I think it would be a great idea if they were to run him so we can revisit his appalling behavior in the ‘02 Senate campaign. Let’s shine a lot of light on that and run it over and over again.
But alas, it won’t happen. The national party doesn’t want a Southerner on a national ticket and who can blame them? They have too much baggage and Saxby and Sonny are the personification of what is wrong with the national GOP.
By RAC
December 6, 2006 8:53 AM | Link to this
All the more reason I would encourage the RepubliCONS to run Saxby.
The nation as a whole would reject him.
By rustylynn
December 6, 2006 9:41 AM | Link to this
All Saxby did in 2002 was highlight the Democrats’ efforts to elevate terrorist combatants to that of criminals protected by our constitution. As noted before, Max didn’t have sense enough to do anything but go to along with Ted Kennedy and their efforts to block the Patriot Act. Saxby was far better suited to represent Georgia in the Senate.
I and other Georgians know that Max used to admit to being careless when injuring himself, he never wanted simpathy for his self infliction until after he could exploit it for political purposes.
By chidog
December 6, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Isn’t it fitting that a Republican wanted an alzheimer’s patient to run for public office! Wow, you guys really are desperate.
By GodHatesTrash
December 6, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this
Chidog, Ronnie Reagan suffered from that affliction for his entire term of office, and these Georgia GOP morons think he was Christ on a cross.
In actuality, he was a venal stupid sick man, trash.
By GodHatesTrash
December 6, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this
You clowns need to wake up - the rest of the country thinks Georgia Repukes are as un-American as Massachusetts Democrats.
Nobody wants your fundamentalist race-baiting ethically challenged ignorant politicos - just you.